Tri-City chief on the record

We care about the patients, physicians, staff and community
because Tri-City is local, and it is part of our mission as a
nonprofit organization.

Blue Cross, Tri-City and North County Times:

Each has some self-interest issues in this situation.

Each has a (profit) margin they require to operate.

Each has to live with the consequence of their strategy.

Tri-City will gladly trade margins with either of you.

What if one of your largest contracted advertisers (who
represents 7 percent of your revenue) came to you and said, "Next
year, we are going to pay you lower than any of your larger or
similar advertisers, or we are not going to buy any more
advertising from you."

What if the Union Tribune got ahold of the story and wanted the
details of what you charge different advertisers, and your largest
advertisers were reading to see the information, and what you are
going to do about it, as they prepare to negotiate their contract
with you in the near future?

Blue Cross receives among the lowest rates that Tri-City
offers.

We are looking for fair reimbursement relative to their Blue
Cross costs and fair reimbursement relative to similar payers with
whom we contract.

There are many physicians and physician groups who have never
sought, or have recently cancelled, their Blue Cross agreements.
And so, even though we might be able to arrive at an agreement,
there may be current or future physicians who might not contract
with Blue Cross.